Hey Gang! Just in case you still have not heard the news but very soon Fitnesswill be digital-only so this will be one of the last times I will be reviewing it in print form. (Sad Panda alert!) I am most unhappy to see the magazine go away but very grateful that we will still get some excellent content them from them online.

Anyhoo—let’s talk about the April issue which is on newsstands now!

What Do We Learn This Month in Fitness?

“Built for Speed”

This looks like an excellent strength circuit from As One Fitness (the trainer is George Vafiades) designed to help with muscle imbalances. Perfect for runners & cyclists and it only takes 20 minutes!

“Ladies Who Crunch”

Did you know that working moms are less likely to workout during the day than working dads because of the primping time it takes after a sweat session? (I can totally relate to being worried about looking a hot mess afterwards.)

Here we get a super quick (5 minutes) circuit developed by Mike Strevel from DavidBartonGym Limelight where you try to do any many reps as possible or AMRAP.

“Trim in 20”

I am sensing a theme here—quick workouts are better than no workouts at all and this one from Brett Hoebel (The Biggest Loser Season 11) requires just a band to get your heart rate up.

“Soothe Moves”

If you suffer with tight hamstrings and a general lack of flexibility (meekly raising my hand here) these “four essential stretches for runners” from yoga instructor Tiffany Cruikshank should be added to your stretching repertoire.

And now the rest of this issue of Fitness:

“Time Flies” I have had the same Polar watch for years now and think it’s time to trade it in for something jazzier. Fitness offers quite a few suggestions here that give me the “I wants.”

“Run Stronger Run Longer” Spring has sprung which means it is time to get some new running shoes and there are tons of great options featured here.

Look at this goodie bag! (Okay, the cat did not come from Fitness magazine.)

Hey There! Hi There Ho There!

Today is quick post going up because I am leaving for a week-long business trip coming up and am not going to be able to Blog very much whilst I am gone.

But fear not–I will be back very soon and will have a super, duper giveaway to offer on the 99th (!) Vlog episode to go live October 26th.

So what’s so great about the next giveaway? Well they will just happen to be a few select items from the goodie bag I received at the Fitness Magazine “Meet & Tweet” NYC Event. Honestly this event kicks ass every year and I always leave completely astonished at how much STUFF we get to take home! Sneakers from Hoka One One, skin care from Dermalogica, gear from Eddie Bauer and so much more.

In fact, there is so much great merchandise here that I am sharing the wealth via my next Vlog post so hang on to your knickers and get ready to win something special!

When I get back from my trip I will give you the lowdown of the “Meet & Tweet” but in the meantime, please enjoy these photos:

Selfie with Fitness Editor in Chief Betty Wong (Hi Betty!)

My lovely friend Toni from “Running, Living, Loving”

My coolest friend “Namaste Mari” et moi

I got a hug from Carla Hall of “Top Chef” and “The Chew”

That’s all I have right now. I will still be tweeting, Facebooking and Instagramming like a fool and won’t be completely off the grid. See you all soon! (I am sorry the font is different here, damn WordPress!!!)

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Trainer Melissa Morin created Adult Summer Camp class for the New York Sports Club and offered a few workouts you can do to mimic “playtime” on your own. (Love the “Surfer’s Paddle” move!)

“Pump Up Your Run”

Fitness asked DJ Whoo Kid for his picks for a playlist that will help you fun faster and longer.

“The Fit Girl’s Getaway Time”

Looking for a place to vacay that requires a little more out of you than some sunblock and a fruity cocktail? (That has to be true for someone out there, right?) Check out these ideas for taking your week off with some fun sweat sessions included.

“Amazing Abs”

Trainer Anna Kaiser is super-hot these days with a reputation for helping her students get long lean frames and here we get a few of her moves that target your abs.

And now the rest of this issue of Fitness:

“The Proper Way to a Plank” I teach these several times per week but am always looking for new ways to describe how to actually perform a plank. Check out this guide on page 99.

“Ace Your Race” Whether or you’re a hardcore runner looking to up your speed or a beginner looking tackle your first 5K—this guide will help you.

“Too Healthy For Your Own Good?” I know some folks have a hard time taking even one day off from their workout or veering from their diet in the slightest—but compulsive behavior can take over your thinking and cause bigger problems later. Signs on accessing how “addicted” you really might be.

Overall Grade:

A! Throw this issue into your beach bag and stay inspired for the summer. (Go ahead and enjoy a fruity cocktail while you are at it!)

Serena Williams! I cannot begin to tell you how happy it makes me to see one of the Williams sisters on the cover. Serena is fierce competitor who has overcome illness and injuries that laid her out for over two years to become the number-one world ranking tennis champion.

The secret to her success is pretty simple—she uses of her on-court personae. The Serena that plays tennis is tough, single-minded, focused and in her own words “just not nice.” Which she says is about three hours of her day. The rest of the time she is a self-described “class clown” who enjoys karaoke, silly pranks and is eager to learn Korean in time for the next Summer Olympic games.

Best thing I learned in this interview—one of Serena’s favorite songs is Maneater by Hall & Oats. How great is that?

One of my favorite classes I tried out for Fit Bottomed Girls was at the Simone De La Rue studio “Body by Simone.” Check out Simone’s killer moves here that will get your legs into strong & sexy shape.

“The Ultimate Lean Routine”

I have been hearing all about the Pure Yoga and the “sweaty mix” of their PXT classes and in this issue they feature moves from PXT that utilizes gliding disks and hand weights to make you strong and lean. Me likey!

“Fit to be Tied”

Spring means outdoor running again (yay!) so check out this guide on the best sneakers for all kinds of activities.

“Play Dirty!”

Personally I have yet to try a mud run but apparently most of the participants are women (go figure!) Muderella trainer Miriam Wasmund offers tips on surviving your first time running with the muddy folks.

And now the rest of this issue of Fitness:

“Juice It Up” Juicing is a trend that refuses to go away so writer Jessica Girdwain looked into how to get the most out of those popular drinks.

“Crank Up the Cardio” Jim Karas’ newest book The Ultimate Diet Revolution will give you great ideas on how to use High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) that will get you healthy in record time.

“Pretty Amazing” The latest beauty gear that will help troublesome skin woes, whiten teeth, and more.

Overall Grade:

A This issue has good workouts, excellent information and a few great beauty stories. Me likey!

Kira Stokes (creator of the Stoked 360 class/Reebok Sports Club/NY) gives us this workout which you perform as a circuit twice in ten minutes 2-3 times per week to help get your heart rate up and burn calories.

“Lighten Your Stride”

If your sneakers are a bit too light and causing your legs more strain from running—Irene Davis Ph.D., director of Harvard Medical School’s Spaulding National Running Center, can show you how to “lighten” your running stride.

“Wow Abs Now!”

Mahri Relin (creator of the Body Concepts Method) offers us a few moves guaranteed to work your core to the max.

And now the rest of this issue of Fitness:

“Can You be Fat but Fit?” Can you be considered technically over your ideal weight and still be healthy?

“Spring Chicken” Yummy recipes ideas using my favorite protein.

“Sunsational” The best of the best new sunscreens on the market that will not leave a “goopy mess.” Sold!

“Truth or Bare” Writer Alice Oglethorpe tried out naked yoga and we learn about her experience doing some sun salutations in the buff. Oof!

Overall Grade:

A- Really great workouts throughout the issue plus lots of great recipes make me a happy fit chick!

Recently I enjoyed a day of fun, fitness, health and good cheer with some of the most amazing people in the Blogosphere with Fitness magazine’s second annual “Blogger Meet & Tweet” which was held this year at the fancy, schmancy Mercedes Club in New York City.

Throughout the morning we were treated to some interesting panel discussions featuring Fitness editors along with celebrity guests for a variety of topics.

Check out the view!

We were treated to a lovelier than expected day where we sat outside and got our collective learning on.Fitness editor in chief Betty Wong was on hand to greet all Bloggers plus send us off to collect our loot (more on THAT later.)

Betty Wong

There was a panel discussion featuring the top Bloggers in health & wellness including:

This panel discussion was moderated by Fitness digital editor Christine Griffin and provided all sorts of inspiration for us would-be money making Bloggers. (Not that I do it for the money…)

In fact, Erin even though Erin I work for the same company (I am a NYC contributor to Fit Bottomed Girls) this was the first we chance we got to give each other a hug. (Hey again Erin!)

I think my favorite segment was when Fitness health editor Lisa Haney talked about women’s health issues with Jennifer Ashton, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. http://www.jenniferashtonmd.com/ who was ready to discuss everything from Angelina Jolie’s decision to get a double mastectomy to the importance of birth control pills. She was so interesting!

So, of course, I had to run over and get my picture taken with her. (Just so you know I am 5’ 7”—this woman is a TALL drink of water!)

Also on hand were The Biggest Loser trainer Brett Hoebel who talked about the latest trends in “extreme fitness” and celebrity makeup artist Sarah Lucero who showed us how to stay gorgeous in the upcoming summer, sweaty months.

My favorite part of the day was watching my friend Mariette of Namaste Mari get totally gaga for Rocco DiSpirito. How cute do they look together by the way?

The hilarious and adorable Isla Fisher is the mother of two young girls and very concerned about their self-image and the hype machine of Hollywood. As such, she works to promote good health (rather than thinness) to her daughters and refuses to let them see her step on a scale.

Isla enjoys hiking around the mountains of Southern California plus her five-days per week yoga sessions to keep herself sane and was nice enough to share her favorite yoga poses from her instructor Kirschen Hagenlocher.

(How cute is she in outfit by the way?!)

“Get a Hot Yoga Body”

Hilaria Baldwin (who is married to actor and noted hot head Alec Baldwin) is a top level yoga instructor and she offers this 20-minute routine to get your “om” on.

“Bring Sexy Back” Try out some of these beauty tricks to get your backside ready for showing off!

“Secrets of the Stars” Curious as to what the biggest stars do to keep healthy and sane? Well look no further than this article. (Check out Cameron Diaz’ fab abs on page 92!)

“Off-Target Diagnosis?” Oof—as if I am not paranoid enough Fitness talked with doctors who say that there are several condition that are misdiagnosed in active women including UTI’s and Bronchitis. Be careful ladies!

“Eat at Your Own Risk” Food allergies are a BIG word this days in the healthy eating world. Learn the facts (and the hype) here.